Custom Team Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Svilar (Stankovic) · Valdepenas (Doig - Obrador) · Vojvoda (T.Correia) · Lucumi (RISERVA) · Gaetano (De Roon) · Kean (RISERVA) · S.Esposito (Volpato) · Baturina (Vlasic) · Mora (Vergara) · Ekkelenkamp (RISERVA) · TITOLARE (RISERVA)

A high press and quick transition identity defines this team playing in a 4-5-1. The lineup aims to win the ball high up the pitch and use verticality to catch opponents off guard. This formation relies on a compact block to deny space in the middle before hitting the opposition on the break.

Svilar operates between the posts to organize the defensive unit. The back four consists of Vojvoda at right back and Valdepenas at left back, who both provide width while maintaining a disciplined line. In the center, Lucumi and TITOLARE form the defensive core, with Lucumi acting as a ball playing defender to initiate play. TITOLARE focuses on winning the header and covering the space behind. This unit works to squeeze the space between the lines and maintain a high line to support the midfield.

The midfield is a five man block designed to control the center of the pitch. Ekkelenkamp and Gaetano sit in a double pivot to shield the defense and break up play. Baturina sits just ahead of them to connect the defensive and attacking lines with his passing range. S.Esposito and Mora occupy the half spaces, with Mora looking to carry the ball forward and S.Esposito arriving late into the box to support the attack. This midfield unit is built to press in pairs and quickly recycle possession once the ball is won.

Kean operates as a lone striker, acting as a pressing centre forward to disrupt the opposition build up. He is tasked to find the feet of the striker and hold up the ball to allow the midfielders to push up. The wide players, S.Esposito and Mora, often move into the channels to create overloads, while Vojvoda and Valdepenas overlap the winger to provide crosses. Kean also works to run in behind the last defender to exploit any gaps left during transitions.

This formation offers several tactical advantages through its compactness. The double pivot of Ekkelenkamp and Gaetano provides a solid screen that makes it difficult to play through the lines. The team can also use wide overloads when the full backs push up to join the midfield. By pressing from the front with Kean, the team can trigger a press to win the ball high up the pitch and catch the opponent in transition.

This 4-5-1 is built for a team that wants to control the central zones and strike with pace. It is best suited for matches against dominant sides where the team needs to sit deep and counter at pace.